July 4th Singapore Style

An unexpected package is a delightful thing, isn't it?! Our sweet neighbors from home sent us an Independence-day-themed package with delightful treats in red, white & blue. In the patriotic spirit, we whipped up a homemade fruit pizza, American-style. :)

Moving and Mold

We were excited to get our sea shipment with our stuff, but not quite so excited to see the water/mold damage that occured to a portion of our stuff.  We are in the process of getting the claims information together to see what kind of compensation we will get.  Mostly, an inconvenience.  Here are just a few pictures for us to remember the mess, the yuck ... and what was ours.

Beachin' It at East Coast Park

One month into our stay, and we finally made it to a (small) beach! An unexpected shower made for a hasty lunch, but it cleared out and afforded several hours of playing afterwards. The girls thought it the best outing in a long time. The best things in life really are free (thank goodness)!

 

Singapore Snippets - July 8

Singapore 101: When it Rains, it POURS! If you take a look at the extended forecast on any given day for Singapore, it predicts warm air and scattered thunderstorms. Funny, the locals don't bat an eyelash when the thunders booms (though it's caused us to jump a time or two). Couple of drops of rain, though, and watch out: all of the sudden, the heavens open and the water falls in sheets! Most carry a handy umbrella for just such an occurrence. But when you haven't yet gotten into the habit of carrying one, a large tropical leaf will have to do.

Missing a friend from Peoria:

This is how my conversation with Jenna went the other morning (a day or two after I showed her some of your recent pics):
J: "Do you know who loves me the most?"
K: "Yes! Mommy and Daddy" (followed by God, Jesus, grandpas and grandmas, every relative I could think of, Mrs. Sherri, etc.)
J: "Yes, but who else loves me the most?"
K: "I don't know, Jenna, who?"
... J: "Miss Anita!!!!" :-)

So, there you have it. Far away, but not far from her heart. You know how some people look at the moon to reconnect? She's got you thru Ronald.

"...into each life some rain must fall," wrote Longfellow. Today was THAT day for the Campbells. We woke in eager anticipation of finally receiving our sea shipment. Our joy quickly turned to dismay as we watched box after sopping wet box being gingerly taken out of the container. A series of holes detected in the "roof", where rain and sea water could have leaked in, look like the cause of t...he sodden mess. Mold, warping, discoloration, and a total wash on a number of items (including some furniture) was the sad result. In the process, it started raining, so this poor guy clambored up onto the top of the moving truck to plug the holes and stop more water from leaking in. We shall stay positive, though, because, really, it's just STUFF.

Update: Good News! We have by no means unloaded every box in the house, but of the ones that had obvious water damage, the total destruction is less than anticipated. Chalk it up to providence, plastic totes, and the packers' incredibly large use of plastic wrapping/bubble wrap for saving all but two pieces of furniture and misc pictures/clothing/shoes/toys, etc. Maybe a 7-10% loss, total. Could have been loads worse! :)

Singapore 101: The Island's Best-Kept Secret: Free Pedicures! Okay, well, minus the nail polish. But hey, in the land of flip-flops and pedestrian-friendly living, tired dogs need a little extra TLC. Two hours beings scrubbed in sand and small pebbles at the East Coast Park is just the ticket....(cream to come later)

 

Pictures from around Singapore

In no special order, here are some pictures of us (mostly the girls, I know) around Singapore from our first month here.

Takishamaya Mall - Orchard Road









Ion Orchard Road Mall









Some playground (SAFRA, I think)



Swensons for Dinner (although I don't think we will ever go back). The girls did like the pirate boats.



More playgrounds (Great World Mall)



Holland Village for Mexican Food ... although you can't see us, this is our view on a Friday night about 6 PM. Big hang out for ExPats from lots of locations.

15th Year Anniversary

We spent our 15th Year Anniversary in Singapore ... and decided that a nice dinner out at the Botanic Gardens would be a great way to celebrate, with our sweet little girls. Here are the two of us (picture taken by Anna), as well as the scenery we ate dinner to (taken from our table).

Singapore Snippets - June 30

See this little bugger looking up tame from under this drinking glass? He's in "time-out" after his latest escapade: jumping out of the utensil basket of the drying rack (which held afore -scrubbed dishes). I managed to contain my alarm to some kind of choked "wa-wa-wa-aiyee", but am dreading the thoughts the night will bring....sheesh! :/






Singapore 101: You never know where a coffee pot will take you....or, There Are WILD MONKEYS Here! On our quest to find a replacement carafe (which had smashed to smithereens on the tile floor) for the coffeemaker, we saw a billboard about monkeys. Who can resist? So, we turned the car into the Upper Pierce Reservoir Park and within 1km, came upon WILD monkeys! Over 50 spotted on our 1hr excursion, which Em dubbed "Awesome!" (Incidentally, I may or may not have screamed very loudly as one scamp lunged at me with bared fangs and a screech when my camera flash went off in his face. Oops.) :)